Reinforced container structures



NOV. 22, 1966 c H. n-

REINFORCED CONTAINER STRUCTURES 5 Sheets-Sheet l 5 425 426 Filed Dec. 17, 1962 cum-"0w H. KEITH Nov. 22, 1966 c. H. KEITH REINFORCED CONTAINER STRUCTURES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 17, 1962 INVENTOR CLIFFORD H. KEJ 77-! 1966 c. H. KEITH REINFQRCED CONTAINER STRUCTURES 5 Sheets-$heet 3 Filed Dec. 17, 1962 INVENTOR CLIFF 0170 H. KEITH Nov. 22, 1966 c. H. KEITH 3,285,900

REINFORCED CONTAINER STRUCTURES Filed Dec. 17, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTOR CLIFFORD H. KEITH Nov. 22, 1966 V c. H. KEITH 3,235,900

REINFORCED CONTAINER STRUCTURES Filed Dec. L7, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I v l l l fi J INVENTOR CL/FFO/-?DH KEITH United States Patent 3,286,900 REINFORCED CONTAINER STRUCTURES Clifford H. Keith, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Mead Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Dec. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 246,873 2 Claims. (Cl. 22916) This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application entitled Reinforced Container and Blanks Therefor, Serial No. 843,498 filed September 30, 1959, now US. Patent No. 3,069,062 issued December 18, 1962, which was, in turn, a continuation-in-part of an application, now abandoned, entitled Container Structure for Packaging Nails, Serial No. 768,691 filed October 21, 1958.

This invention relates to improved containers and to improved blanks for making such containers. More specifically, this invention relates to heavy-duty containers being formed from paperboard or the like having reinforced bottoms, tops, and/or side walls thereof. This invention also relates specifically to improved blanks for forming such heavy duty containers and the like.

It is well known in the contanier art that ordinary paperboard containers cannot be readily utilized for heavy duty purposes as the conventional structures lack suflicient strength and reinforcement means to support the relatively heavy loads of high density goods, non-rigid goods, and the like. Accordingly, when conventional paperboard containers are utilized for shipping and/or storing high density goods and the like, the heavy loads of the goods that are imposed against the various walls of the containers tend to rupture the same thereby resulting in subsequent loss land/or damage to the goods.

Many unsuccessful attempts have been made by various manufactures in the past to provide a heavy duty container that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, relatively easy to assemble, and which is provided with suf- 'ficient reinforcing means to support the relatively heavy loads of high density goods and the like.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved heavy duty container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved container blank for forming such a container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved closure means for containers and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in container structures of the character set forth, improved blanks therefor so formed as to result in a of wastage of material in the production of same.

Other objects, uses and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank of a form of the invention; v

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the blank shown in FIGURE 1 illustrating the same in partly assembled condition;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but illustrating the container thereof in a further state of assembly;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the completely assembled container of FIGURES l to .3 inclusive;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of another form the invention may assume;

FIGURE '6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 but illustrating the first step in assembling the container to be formed thereby;

FIGURE 7 is a View similar to FIGURE 6 but illus- 3,286,900 Patented Nov. 22, 1966 .tr-ating a further step in the operation of assembling the container;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7 but illustrating still another step in the forming of said container;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view illustrating still another step in the forming of the container from the blank illustrated in FIGURE 5 and,

FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view of the completely assembled container of FIGURES 6 to 9.

While various container structures of this invention are hereinafter described as being particularly adapted for packaging nails, it is to be understood that these container structures are also readily applicable for packaging other types of high density goods, non-rigid goods, and the like, and may also be utilized for any other desired purpose. Further, because of the double side walls of these containers, the same may have increased up and down strength and, therefore, these containers can be stacked with greater security and alignment. In particular, these containers are readily adaptable for palletizing and Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals are utilized throughout the various figures thereof to designate like parts where appropriate, and particular reference is made to FIG- URES l-lO illustrating one embodiment of this invention.

In that form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 4 inclusive, there is shown a container having a bottom panel 400 of generally rectangular shape having connected thereto along .a fold line 401 along its forward edge a series of inner side wall panels 402, 403, 404, 405 and 406, it being seen that only panel 404 is in actual integral connection with bottom panel 400, the remaining inner side wall panels being interconnected at fold lines 407, 408, 409 and 410.

The forward edge of bottom panel 400 has connected thereto along fold line 411, a series of outer side panels 412, 413, 414, 415 and 416, it being seen that only panel 414 is actually connected along fold line 411 with panel 400, the remaining outer side wall panels being interconnected along fold lines 417, 418, 419 and 420.

Extending from panel 403 toward panel 413 and connected to panel 403 at fold line 421, is a bottom liner panel 422 and likewise connected to panel 405 along fold line 423 is a bottom liner panel 424.

The outer edges of panels 402 and 406 are each provided with mutually interlocking keys 425 and key slots 426 which are preferably, and as shown, in a keystone shape. To the outer edges of inner side wall panels 402, 403, 404, 405 and 406 is integrally connected along a fold line 427 a bellows structure generally indicated at 428 and which is of the character previously described, for example, in FIGURE 21 of Patent 3,069,062.

In assembling the container illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 4 inclusive, it will be apparent that panels 422 and 424 are first bent at right angles to their respective panels 403 and 405 and that the series of inner wall panels 402, 403, 404, 405 and 406 are then bent to a vertical position along the fold line 401 whereupon bottom liner panels 422 and 424 are positioned over bottom panel 400 to thoroughly reinforce the same while at the same time the inner side wall panels are brought to encompassing position about bottom panel 400 and its superposed panels 422 and 424 whereupon key members 425 are engaged in key slots 426 to thus lock the inner wall structure a about the inner side wall panel structure, panels 412 and.

416 being thereupon glued or otherwise affixed to the outer side of panel 404 as indicated in FIGURE 4. The

connected a series of intermediate wall panels 502,503,*

504, 505, 506 and to the outer edges of these intermediate wall panels there iscconnected by a double fold line indicated at 507 a series of inner wall panels 508, 509, 510, 511 and 512.

Each of the adjoining panels 508 to 512, inclusive, is interconnected by a corner post member 515 by means of fold lines 513 and 514 and each of the members 515 is centrally provided with fold line 516 adapted to bend inwardly as will be hereinafter described.

Each of the inner panels 508-512 inclusive is provided at its outer edge with a flap 517 which is connected thereto along fold line 518. A bottom reinforcing member 51-9 is connected to the inner edge of panel 503- by fold line 520 and a second bottom reinforcing member 521 is connected with panel 505 along a line 522.

To the rearward edge of bottom panel 500 there is connected along a fold line 523 a series of outer wall panels 524, 525, 526, 527, 528 which extend in parallel relation to the series of inner and intermediate Wall panels hereinbefore described and to the outer edges of the outer wall panels 524-528 inclusive, along fold line 529 there is connected a bellows structure generally indicated at 530 and, the same having heretofore been described with respect to FIGURE 21 of Patent No. 3,069,- 062, it will not be further described.

In assembling the container illustrated in FIGURES to inclusive, the inner walls 508 to 512 inclusive are first folded over the intermediate wall panels 502 to 506-inclusive, as indicated in FIGURE 6 and thereupon the entire wall structure 508 to 512, inclusive, and intermediate wall panels 502 to 506, inclusive, are brought to a vertical position along fold line 501 with respect to bottom panel 500 whereupon the bottom reinforcing panels 519 and 521 are moved to a position immediately over bottom panel 500. While this occurs, inner and intermediate wall structures may be bent around the bottom wall structure in the manner indicated in FIGURE 7, flaps 517 being first bent inwardly along fold lines 518, likewise as indicated in FIGURE 7, and reinforcing members 515 being bent inwardly along fold lines, 516. Flaps 517 are cut away so as to abut one another when in completely assembled condition as shown in FIGURE 8 whereupon outer wall structure 524 to 528, inclusive, is enwrapped about the remainder of the structure, FIG- URE ,9, to thus complete the assembling of the container, wall members 524 and 528 are glued or otherwise attached to wall member 504 and that the flaps 517 are.

ta'iner having a. triple bottom and triple side structurewhile at the same time providing corner posts or reinforcing members 515, as clearly shown in FIGURE 8.

While only certain forms of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and/or equivalents may be made and employed without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A container comprising a series of three foldably connected side walls each having top, bottom and opposed side edges, a pair of side wall flaps each having substantially parallel top, bot-tom and opposed side edges,

said pair of side wall flaps being respectively foldably connected at one of the side edges thereof to the outer side edges of the outer side walls, a first bottom wall, having a pair of opposed side .edges, said first bottom wall being'foldably connected at one of saidside edges thereof to the bottom edge vof the middle side wall, a series of three foldably connected liner panels each having top, bottom and opposed side edges, the middle liner. panel being foldably .connected at the bottom edge thereof to the other of said side edges of said bottom wall, all

said outer side walls being respectively in coextensively superimposed relationship with said liner panels and said side flaps being in abutting relation at the opposed side 'edges thereof and being superimposed on said middle liner panel, a pair of reinforcing bottom walls having opposed side edges and being respectively foldably connected at one of said side, edges thereof to the bottom edges of said other liner panels, a pair 'of liner panel I flaps each having top, bottom and opposed side edges are respectively foldably connected at one of the side edges thereof to the outer side edges of .the other liner panels, said pair of liner panels abutting respectively at the opposed side edges thereof and said middle side wall being superimposed on said mating liner panel flaps.

2. A blank for a containensaid blank being 'cut and scored to define a series of three foldably connected side walls each having a top, bottom and opposed side edges, a pair of outer side wall flaps each having substantially parallel top, bottom and opposed side edges, said pair of outer side wall flaps being respectively foldably connected at one of the side edges thereof to the outer side edges.

of the outer side walls, a series of three foldably connected liner panels each having top, bottom and opposed side edges, a first bottom wall having a pair of opposed side edges and being respectively foldably connected at said side edges thereof to the bottom edges of the middle side wall and the middle liner panel, and a pair of reinforcing bottom walls having opposed side edges and being respectively foldably connected at one ,of the side edges thereof to the bottom edges of the outer liner.

panels, said blank being foldable tofor-m said container,

whereby all said outer-side walls are adapted to be co- I extensively .superimposed closely adjacent to the outer. liner panels and said side wall flaps are adapted to abut at the respective opposed side edges thereof and be superimposed closely adjacent to said middle liner panel, said reinforcing :bottorn walls are adapted to be superimposed on said first bottom wallin a predetermined stacked re- References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 271,974 2/ 1883 De Quillfeldt 229,16 381,050 4/ 1-888 Zugalla 229-16 536,065 3/1895 Birley 2129-46 729,461 5/ 1903 Webb 229-46 2,523,246 9/ 1950 Elliott et al 229'38 JOSEPH R. :LECLAIR, .Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, GEORGE O. RALSTON,

Examiners. J. F. MCNULTY, D. T. MOORHEAD,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. A CONTAINER COMPRISING A SERIES OF THREE FOLDABLY CONNECTED SIDE WALLS EACH HAVING TOP, BOTTOM AND OPPOSED SIDE EDGES, A PAIR OF SIDE EALL FLAPS EACH HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TOP, BOTTOM AND OPPOSED SIDE EDGES, SAID PAIR OF SIDE WALL FLAPS BEING RESPECTIVELY FOLDABLY CONNECTED AT ONE OF THE SIDE EDGES THEREOF TO THE OUTER SIDE EDGES OF THE OUTER SIDE WALLS, A FIRST BOTTOM WALL HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSED SIDE EDGES, SAID FIRST BOTTOM WALL BEING FOLDABLY CONNECTED AT ONE OF SAID SIDE EDGES THEREOF TO THE BOTTOM EDGE OF THE MIDDLE SIDE WALL, A SERIES OF THREE FOLDABLY CONNECTED LINER PANELS EACH HAVING TOP, BOTTOM AN OPPOSED SIDE EDGES, THE MIDDLE LINER PANEL BEING FOLDABLY CONNECTED AT THE BOTTOM EDGE THEREOF TO THE OTHER OF SAID SIDE EDGES OF SAID BOTTOM WALL, ALL SAID OUTER SIDE WALLS BEING RESPECTIVELY IN COEXTENSIVELY SUPERIMPOSED RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID LINER PANELS AND SAID SIDE FLAPS BEING IN ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP AT THE OPPOSED SIDE EDGES THEREOF AND BEING SUPERIMPOSED ON SAID MIDDLE LINER PANEL, A PAIR OF REINFORCING BOTTOM WALLS HAVING OPPOSED SIDE EDGES AND BEING RESPECTIVELY FOLDABLY CONNECTED AT ONE OF SAID SIDE EDGES THEREOF TO THE BOTTOM EDGES OF SAID OTHER LINER PANELS, A PAIR OF LINER PANEL FLAPS EACH HAVING TOP, BOTTOM AND OPPOSED SIDE EDGES ARE RESPECTIVELY FOLDABLY CONNECTED AT ONE OF THE SIDE EDGES THEREOF TO THE OTHER SIDE EDGES OF THE OTHER LINER PANELS, SAID PAIR OF LINER PANELS ABUTTING RESPECTIVELY AT THE OPPOSED SIDE EDGES THEROF AND SAID MIDDLE SIDE WALL BEING SUPERIMPOSED ON SAID MATING LINER FLAPS. 